Bridging the gap in archaeological theory
An Alternative Account of Scientific 'Progress' in Archaeology
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 5095607 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Oscar Moro Abadía (0000-0002-3992-7933, Department of Archaeology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, Canada, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2017 |
| Volume | 49 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 271-280 |
| Publication date | 2017-03-15 |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | World Archaeology (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0043-8243 • E-ISSN: 1470-1375 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/00438243.2016.1264883 |
| OpenAlex | W2576003118 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 8 |
| References cited | 15 |
In recent years, a number of authors have commented on the current diversification of archaeological theory into different paradigms defined by diverse epistemologies and methods. One of the main consequences of this process has been the closure of the theoretical debate in archaeology, i.e. the fragmentation of archaeological theory into separate non-communicating paradigms. In this setting, several archaeologists have argued that there is a need for new theoretical discussions that promote dialogue among archaeologists belonging to different schools of thought. I suggest that a reflection on scientific progress, if executed properly, can fulfil this goal. In particular, I examine the conception establishing that science progresses by discarding incorrect prejudices and assumptions rather than by accumulating new facts and evidence. I argue that this view may be of particular relevance for different groups of archaeologists because it is compatible with the main philosophies that have oriented archaeological research since the 1980s. I illustrate this point with a number of examples drawn from the history of archaeology
Archaeological evidence · Archaeological record · Archaeological theory · Archaeology · Bridging (networking · Diversification (marketing strategy · Epistemology · Relevance (law · Sociology · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Archaeology and Rock Art Studies · Computer Science · History · Image Processing and 3D Reconstruction · Philosophy
Understanding Pleistocene Rock Art
Conjectures and Refutations
The structure of scientific revolutions
Interpretive social science
Images without Words
Razones por las que la historia de la arqueología es esencial para la teoría arqueológica
From A Paleolithic Art to Pleistocene Visual Cultures (Introduction to two Special Issues on ‘Advances in the Study of Pleistocene Imagery and Symbol Use’)
Hermeneutical contributions to the history of science
Beyond the Bounds of History
Ian Hodder (dir.), Archaeological Theory Today, Polity, Cambridge
Radiocarbon Intercomparison Program for Chauvet Cave
Genes versus agents. A discussion of the widening theoretical gap in archaeology
Paleolithic Art
Thematic changes in Upper Palaeolithic art
On the nature of theoretical archaeology and archaeological theory
| Citations per year | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2018 - 2026 (9) |
| Highly cited | No |